Weekly Running Log

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

After reviewing the past year and half, I realized that I was totally too hard on myself. To some point...I don't want that to change as I think it helps push me along in my "lazy" times. And, yes, we all have them. But it seemed I was living in the "negative"...LIVING! Okay, this is not a good thing. My thoughts constantly berated me telling myself that I wasn't good enough any more and how much I could NOT do things, especially things I use to do just a year ago and that I had "reached the age" of heading downward. With this wonderful thought process happening 24/7, I rarely pushed myself any more...because...what's the use? I'm just going to fail or have a pain here or there.

Last year was a difficult year indeed in many ways, mostly physical. See my recap for 2014 for an explanation. Everyone is different and everyone would handle the same situation in their own way considering their abilities, lifestyles, backgrounds, etc. But the only thing that counts is what YOU do. Am I right? Starting with the way you look at things when you are bombarded with the negative.

So for me to be somewhat accountable [to online friends], here are a few things I want to shoot for in 2015.

1. Try a new fruit monthly. I'm sure there are 12 fruits that I haven't tried yet that I can find in my grocer.
2. Do some kind of workout on days I don't feel like it. Yes, this is hard for me.
3. Leave the past where it is...in the past. I am "me" at this moment and not at any other time. I can't undo the past nor see the future. All I have is "now".
4. Try a new workout a month. Though there might not be 12, I'm sure I can find variations of an exercise I'm already doing.
5. Do something around the house that I shun doing on a weekly basis.
6. Prepare a new food/meal bi-weekly.
7. Give someone one of my smiles daily.
8. Encourage others as often as I can.
9. Race the best I can NOW...not as I did in the past or as I want to in the future, but NOW.
10. Find something to be positive about every day.

This will be a start. No, I don't expect to start looking like a 30 year old, but I do know I can be a better 50+ woman.

I hope this post will help you, too. What are the things you want to see differently this year? Got to go, so I can

Thursday, January 15, 2015

2014 was not good to me in many ways. As hard as it was, I continued to push through all the things life threw at me. Here is a synopsis of the year.

January: Had to go to the doctor Christmas Eve [2013] for sinus infection and bad cough; got a steroid shot and cough medicine. The following many days I suffered through calf cramps. After looking up the side affects it was discovered that tendon tears were a side affect. Stopped running for a while until I finished the meds. 53.3 miles run this month.

February: Rained a lot and didn't run outside due to the cough that continued to hang on. Began running again and was feeling better. Ran the Double Bridge 15k and Sweetheart 5k. On the 17th, I received a call that my stepmother, Betty, was very sick and in the hospital. Left Gulf Shores and headed home to repack and go to Natchez. On the 19th, CT scan reported MANY spots on her lungs and liver. Final result of scan revealed BOTH lungs were filled with cancerous tumors. She could hardly breathe. Was told she had days to live. Went home on Friday then to Gulf Shores to get the camper on Saturday and was headed back to Natchez on Sunday. Received a call that she had passed away early Sunday morning! Weather was severe and we weren't able to leave as planned. No running since Tuesday. Betty wanted my Dad to go live with my sister in Arkansas. After her passing, much was done at their house and packed Dad to relocate. Bad first day there. Headed to Connie's within two days. 32.1 miles run/6.5 miles walked.

March: Severe winter warning while in AR. No running there. Came home the second week. Actually was able to get in my first run since February 17th the 2nd week of March. Things are beginning to settle down some. Not much running for this month. 45.4 miles run/14 miles walked.

April: Went to my first Croppin on the Coast. Won my next crop for 2015!! Headed back to Natchez on the 11th to start cleaning out Dad's home. My stepmother was a huge hoarder. I loved her dearly but this was a terrible fault that my sister and I had to deal with and being out of town for both of us it was a very hard task. Dad not doing well and in hospital's step down unit while she was in Natchez at this time. Met with someone who we decided we'd get to sell the things in the house and the house itself. My right hip began hurting in the third week which I am thinking is due to all the riding we did. Having so much to do this month regarding Natchez cut my running back again...as well as my hip pain. 35.5 miles run/10 miles walked.

May: Hip pain better and began to run more...finally! Then I stumped 3 toes on my left foot and started having to walk instead of run a few days. Yikes! Went to shoulder doctor as left shoulder is still so limited. Began PT three times a week. Started new hormone treatment...no running for a week +/-. 60.7 miles run/17.8 miles walked.

June: Summer heat kicks in which makes it very difficult for me to breathe. Right hip pain returns mid-month. Sore throat started the 21st and continued to get more painful. Went to MEA with a diagnosis of sinus infection with lots of coughing...again!!! NO running all last week. 49.3 miles run.

July: All outside workouts or treadmill at home. No gym this year. Coughing most of the month. 49.6 miles run/8.5 miles walked.

August: Returned to shoulder doctor with continued limited motion. Got cortisone shot in shoulder and felt better immediately!! BUT...BAD side affects with tendons...again! No running for a while. Began running after first week but legs painful from shot. Very easy running. Did a virtual 10k on 15th and virtual 5k on 16th. Calf pain continued the rest of month! 73.2 miles run/7 miles walked.

September: Did my first spin class on the 2nd. Coughed a lot but did pretty good. Fell on slippery carport the 28th and broke 2nd toe, hurt from left knee all the way up to the hip...I need a break here!! 102.3 miles run. Did well...considering!

October: Mileage begins to increase for St. Jude's Marathon training. Went to doctor for mass in left breast. Had surgery the following week. Two masses found with one LARGE mass but all benign. Thank God! NO running or any exercise for a while...again. Began walking slow on the 28th. 34.8 miles run/7.7 miles walked. Marathon will not happen. Working toward the half now.

November: Began walk/run on the 3rd with quarter mile increments. Put house up for sale and sold within 48 hours! Much, much work to do including finding another home in Alabama. 73.1 miles run/4 miles walked.

December: Glad to be at St. Jude's for the half. Had to walk some but am glad that I was able to finish it. Had no idea a month ago that I would be able to run any. Overall pace was 13:28 with an overall time of 2:43:02; 105/231 in my age group. One of my worst half's but success was counted differently this time. I deem this race a success. God is good!! On the downside, I left my bag with my Garmin, iPod and Oakley's in the window at the hotel, as well as my St. Jude's gear bag!!!!! Many calls were made to the hotel but they denied seeing it. I KNOW it was in the window and told them that. VERY, VERY sick about this!!!!! Having such good running friends that could "feel" my pain, they donated to the situation which will help me recup some of my loss. 49.3 miles run/4 miles walked. Moved to Foley, AL, at Christmas. So much packing after getting back from race. Been at that home for 31.6 years! Wow at the stuff we have accumulated! Spent first night in our home on Sunday the 28th.

Goals were not made and disappointment was my closest friend [and she was not a good buddy] but I have great running friends that have held my hand and pulled me through the year. I am so thankful for my husband who continues to encourage me. So, here you go 2014, I am glad to say "toodaloo"...

Overall [counted walk/runs as runs]:
658.5 miles run [goal was 700]
77.4 miles walked
80.1 miles ridden
3250 yards swam

I am looking forward to a great 2015 year. Starting over always seem fresh and plans are to keep my goals reasonable and reachable. I felt defeated all year last year with so many issues that came up one right after the other. All is good and I plan to keep it that way. Regardless of past times or races, I plan to get back on the horse again.

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